If anything, the figurine would just be an optional to unlock a character. I'm sure even if they did allow this, they would still allow you to unlock the characters traditionally: by completely specific challenges.

reminds me of F-Zero GX where you could unlock bonus characters by using your memory card on the arcade machine or by completing story chapters, which was significantly harder.

If it doesn't be like you have to buy a figurine/card to unlock said character, and it was all optional and you could buy then on your own accord (like what Kid Icarus: Uprising did, the Idol cards could unlock the ones in the game, but were not necessary since you can still get them by playing the game itself) I'd be okay with the idea. Heck, if they don't cost so much I'd probably get a couple figurines myself because they would be my favorite Nintendo characters.

Biggest Pikmin fan on NL!

Avian fact of the week: The Moa, an extinct relative of ostrichs and emus that inhabited New Zealand, was the tallest bird that ever lived at 12 ft tall (3.6 m). It was also the only known bird to have no wing structure.

I suggested Smash Bros. using NFC before, and I was quickly denounced for it. I'm sure there can be other ways to use NFC rather than just buying figurines or cards to unlock characters. Knowing how Kid Icarus Uprising took advantage of the 3DS features with AR, it should be likely they'll take advantage of the Wii U features with NFC in some form.

@peoplewhopointedouttypo It's hard to check grammar when posting on the Wii U. I have pride in my correct use of punctuation and spelling, and you pointing out errors makes me feel sad. The typo has been fixed, and I shall now read my posts repeatedly before posting them. Back on topic... NFC in Smash Bros. is bad!

Reading the original article, it was pure speculation. No rumors, just speculation that even the writer had doubts were legit. Nintendo won't do this. I am certain. It's a horrible idea, it'd break the game... At most, perhaps collectable figurines or cards that unlock trophies but, like Kid Icarus Uprising, trophies could be unlocked in game. I could see Nintendo doing this but not hampering actual gameplay.

Miyamoto said they're doing something with NFC, but I really doubt it's Smash Bros. A more convincing rumor I read said it would be a kind of Battrio (look like poker chips with a character's picture on them) most likely related to Pokemon. Or they might try something with all the classic Nintendo characters, perhaps a game where you can play the same levels in different ways with Mario/Link/Samus/Kirby etc..., which I would prefer. I just hope they aren't very expensive.

Pretty sweet news. Now those of us who can't afford/have time to visit gaming conventions and others who are too young to buy stuff online can enjoy more Nintendo related merchandise.

Biggest Pikmin fan on NL!

Avian fact of the week: The Moa, an extinct relative of ostrichs and emus that inhabited New Zealand, was the tallest bird that ever lived at 12 ft tall (3.6 m). It was also the only known bird to have no wing structure.

I think NFC could be used for various things in SSB. Adding new movesets to characters, adding new characters over a long period of time, maybe even adding stats that can be shared between copies of the game. And more obviously, a big theme in SSB has been trophies, so I figure this is what any NFC figurines would be made to look like.

Edit: And by new characters, I don't mean ones that are already on the disc. That's why I mentioned new movesets.

If Nintendo did, it would be acceptable and, of course, Nintendo would be the first ones to have done it.

They'll just be the first ones to do it right. You can argue Skylanders is the best form of this technology ever, but it's exclusive to only that game, it costs more to put the portal in the package,and it costs more for consumers. Everybody is obviously sceptical about it since Skylanders basically required you to buy other figures to get the characters.
I think it will be used to replenish items like ammo, health, etc. disposable items in the game.

If they add AR to the the new Pokemon cards or whatever at no extra cost, people who already bought them will say 'Oh, I can use these for the game now', or people who didn't buy Pokemon cards before may start buying the cards since it has that feature.
They need to figure out a way for it to not make or break a game, and be cost efficient which actually has not been done yet.